Richard Pill’s Post

https://lnkd.in/exz6itXr BRTA wants local rail solutions and local rail reopenings. Yes, there is the bigger picture, but local connectivity into a joined-up national and international rail network is where it all begins for people and goods. We have the Channel Tunnel now, but we need more radial rail links and obital of #London for example to enable passenger and freight more by rail. The government should give any emergent new organisation for rail, the task of "decluttering the motorweay network of lorries and cars" and build the rail links to enable that. Likewise we need a new parallel railway for people and goods semi fast from Felixstowe- West Midlands alongside the A14. In the north, we have an agenda for reopenings, but the system is costing and failing to deliver, as if it was just about ticking boxes, #Colne-#Skipton would have been given the go ahead prior to this General Election, why the delay? There's about 20 other reopenings in the queue of a similar nature including Woodhead! Modern railways for modern markets and usage. Can't live on scenery or past glories, we need graft to resolve today's issues and invest in a rail-future.

https://lnkd.in/exz6itXr Support more rail-based choices and capacity in the Bedford and surrounds areas to ease congestion and reduce pollution. Ø   A proper railway station on the Bedford-Bletchley Railway to serve the Retail Park and wider Kempston area? Bring back our trains and retain local stations. Please volunteer.   Ø   The East-West Rail Link go via the old route (St John’s area) and eastwards avoiding knocking down houses. Likewise, to have physical arms to enable south of Peterborough and north of Stevenage/East Bedfordshire direct rail access from where they live to Bedford and the Oxford corridor and vice versa – essential footfall and spend minus congestion?   Ø   For a formal year-on-year traffic reduction strategy to cut congestion, waste, emissions and deteriorated public well-being? We need planning and policy with enforcement of existing laws and safeguards.   Ø    Stations at Wixams (happening now), Ampthill and Stations North of Bedford (e.g. Oakley, Sharnbrook, Irchester, Burton Latimer, Desborough and Kibworth etc)? Plus, a seamless single train service to and from Leicester and all in between? Say “no” to having to change at Kettering for example.   Ø   A new-build/new route Bedford-Northampton rail link for direct access by rail to Birmingham and vice versa to Bedford, Cambridge, and Luton? It needs a will for a way to be done. Land needs protecting with identified corridor to enable option to be retained. Ø   Better buses linking with Bedford Midland Main Railway Station, giving more choices.

🌟Building consensus to deliver social impact: how a new partnership between government and business will drive transformative change Our ambitious campaign to embed positive social impact in every corner of the country was the focus of our reception in Parliament yesterday, hosted by The Purpose Coalition in partnership with Lumo and Hull Trains, and attended by leading employers and Members of Parliament from across the country.  📊 Our new interim report, "Lowering Barriers to Opportunity: Current Innovations for a Better Britain," was launched, highlighting innovative efforts to drive equality of opportunity across the UK, especially in the most deprived areas. 🚆 Lumo and Hull Trains, pioneers in open-access rail operations, showcased their commitment to breaking down barriers and offering more affordable, sustainable, and high-quality rail services. Their initiatives are not just transforming travel but are also fostering regional growth and creating new job opportunities. 🌍 Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, Nick Forbes CBE, emphasised the need for collaboration between employers and the government to create a fairer, more inclusive future. 💬 Martijn Gilbert, MD of Lumo and Hull Trains, reiterated their dedication to connecting communities and supporting economic development through their rail services. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dwkZgCW6 #BreakingDownBarriers #SocialImpact #Community #RailInnovation #Lumo #HullTrains #PurposeCoalition #InclusiveGrowth #ThePurposeCoalition

🌟 Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the South West Procurement Alliance Social Value Conference, and was thrilled to discover how closely the themes and takeaways align with the work we are doing 🤝 in community rail. Discussions around social value for industry and public sector partners demonstrated the need for place-based approaches coupled with meaningful community participation. I'm proud that Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership and Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnership are putting these principles at the forefront of everything we do. 💡 Our innovative approaches, including co-creation, youth-led research, and interactive place-based interventions, allow us to gather invaluable insights and create lasting impact for local communities and places. 📣 Some key takeaways from the conference: 1. The importance of a lifecycle commitment to social value 🌱 2. The need to measure non-monetary benefits 📊 3. The value of attracting diverse talent 🌈 4. The power of building a network of social enterprises 🌐 5. Local place and people need to be at the heart of decision making We are dedicated to reducing the gap between local communities, rail, travel and our industry partners while delivering measurable social value. I left inspired to commit to collaborating further so as to create a brighter future for all! 💫 If you share a passion for social value driven by a place-based focus driving community benefit, please get in touch🤝 #SocialValue #CommunityEngagement #YouthRepresentation #SWPAConference

Whilst I was on vacation (cue for a gratuitous bus photo from Catalina Island) Steer colleagues including Nicola Kane, Steven Bishop and Simon Statham were busy facilitating the Landor LINKS Ltd Local Transport Summit. With a new Government since the last summit and engagement starting on the development of the Integrated National Transport Strategy for England, the gathering of transport professionals was very timely. The summit's conclusions? Increasing congestion impacting productivity, the need to connect our rural communities, the power of bus, and the need to upskill all those involved from the planners to the decision makers. Read a summary of the summit's discussions on what matters for connecting communities here: https://lnkd.in/e8x4iqJR #localtransport #mobility #community

Improved transport links are vital to unlocking the North's full economic potential. Our Strategy Director and Deputy Chief Executive, Katie Day, was a key speaker at Lancashire Business View's Built Environment conference, discussing how better infrastructure would boost productivity across Lancashire, create jobs, and attract investment. “Our strategic plan is about the bigger picture and also the removal of barriers to opportunity. Better transport connections help our economy and society – whether it is opening up commercial opportunities, helping people access education, training and healthcare, or visiting leisure and cultural facilities.” Read more about how TfN is working to shape our region's future: https://lnkd.in/e8gDGmt2 #TransformTheNorth

Public transport is key to the ability to Live Well Locally. There's a long road ahead according to IPPR Scotland research. https://lnkd.in/gZFyKrYr

🚄 Big News from FirstGroup! 🚄 FirstGroup has acquired Grand Union Trains, launching new open access rail services from Carmarthen to London and expanding routes to Paignton. 🌟 New routes: Carmarthen to London Paddington, and Paignton to London Paddington. Benefits: Enhanced connectivity, more travel options, and economic growth for South Wales and the South West. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7Mi53fh FirstGroup plc Lumo Office of Rail and Road (ORR) #RailInnovation #FirstGroup #OpenAccessRail #Travel #EconomicGrowth #Connectivity

"If you have no bus service or a rubbish bus service and it becomes free, you’re not helping someone" - Michael Pidgeon (Green Party councillor for Dublin) (more from his interview) Ireland is ripe for easy solutions: 1. Ireland should copy Brussels’ approach, where zebra crossings are usable on almost every street corner. This is one example of a relatively quick and low-cost way of improving transport infrastructure for people in the city and beyond.  2. Another piece of low-hanging fruit that Pidgeon believes should be tackled is improving bus priority. More here: https://lnkd.in/gxzE_tcP

A new timetable to be introduced on Sunday, 2 June, will see improvements for customers throughout the country, helping to ensure rail remains one of the easiest and sustainable ways to travel. There will be almost 100 additional services each weekday, including trains to new stations at Cameron Bridge and Leven, which form part of the reopening of the Levenmouth rail link. A significant part of the changes sees a completely new timetable structure for Inverclyde, with 30 extra services every weekday, a more frequent service between Glasgow and Wemyss Bay, and better connections between rail and ferry at Gourock. Journey times will improve from North Fife to Edinburgh, while the number of seats provided between the Kingdom and Edinburgh increase from just under 16,000 in each direction each day, to more than 19,000. This will help to deliver opportunities for local people, unlocking access to education, culture, entertainment, and employment opportunities, as well as attracting new business and investment. Further improvements for customers include: • New 0805 Prestonpans to Waverley to increase morning peak capacity for commuters in East Lothian. • More weekend North Berwick services strengthened from four to six carriages. • Glasgow to Neilston, Newton, and Cathcart Circle evening services will increase in frequency from hourly to half hourly. • Glasgow to Alloa evening services will increase in frequency from hourly to half hourly. • 1050 Inverness to Edinburgh and 1033 Edinburgh to Inverness strengthened from three to five carriages on Saturdays, to match what operates Monday to Friday.